𝐃𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐱 | 18 +

𝐓 𝐇 𝐈 𝐑 𝐓 𝐘 - 𝐒 𝐄 𝐕 𝐄 𝐍

Carter

When I woke up, I could tell right away that I was feeling a little better than yesterday, but there was still a lingering heaviness in my body, a reminder that I wasn't fully back to normal. My throat was dry, and my head still felt like it was stuffed with cotton. Despite the slight improvement, I still felt completely out of it.

Just as I was adjusting myself in bed, I heard Juliet's footsteps coming down the hallway. She entered the bedroom with a soft smile on her face, carrying a bowl of soup in her hands. The warm, comforting aroma filled the room, making my stomach grumble, though I wasn't sure if I'd be able to keep anything down.

"Good morning, baby." Juliet said, her voice gentle as she walked over to the bed and placed the soup bowl on the nightstand. Her gaze softened as she looked me over, noticing my disheveled state. "How are you feeling this morning?"

I managed a small, tired smile, though I knew I probably looked like a complete mess. "Still feel like shit." I mumbled, my voice hoarse. The simple admission made Juliet chuckle, her laughter soft and warm, and for a moment, it lifted my spirits.

She carefully sat down on the edge of the bed, picking up the bowl of chicken soup again and holding it in front of me. "Alright, let's get you to eat a little. It'll help, I promise." she said, bringing the spoon close to my mouth.

I sighed, knowing she wasn't going to take no for an answer. Reluctantly, I opened my mouth, allowing her to feed me a small spoonful of the soup. The warmth spread through me, soothing my sore throat and settling in my stomach. It wasn't too heavy, thankfully, and I actually found myself enjoying it.

But as I continued, another wave of nausea hit me out of nowhere, making me groan as I clutched at my stomach. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, willing the sensation to pass. Juliet's hand found my arm, grounding me as she patiently waited for me to recover.

"Do you need a break?" she asked softly, her fingers rubbing gentle circles on my arm. The simple gesture helped me calm down, and I nodded, reaching for the glass of water she'd placed by the bed. I took a slow sip, hoping it would help settle my stomach.

Once I felt a little steadier, Juliet continued feeding me the soup, spoonful by careful spoonful, until I'd managed to finish most of it. I knew she was just trying to take care of me, but the effort she put into something as simple as feeding me made my heart swell with gratitude. When I was done, she set the empty bowl aside and leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. Her lips were warm against my skin, and the touch sent a sense of calm washing over me.

"Thank you." I whispered, my voice barely audible. I was tired, my body still aching, but having her here made everything a little bit better. I looked up at her, feeling an odd mixture of vulnerability and contentment, and something inside me just wanted to hold her close.

I cleared my throat, giving her a shy smile. "Can we... can we cuddle?" I asked, feeling a little silly for the request, but I couldn't help myself. I wanted her warmth, her presence, to fill the empty spaces that sickness always seemed to leave.

Juliet raised an eyebrow, a teasing glint in her eyes. "Oh, so you're feeling clingy today, huh?" she asked, her tone light, though I could see the affection in her gaze.

I shrugged, not even bothering to deny it. "Deal with it." I muttered, managing a small smirk despite how tired I felt.

She rolled her eyes, but the smile on her face was unmistakable. With a soft sigh, she slipped under the covers beside me, wrapping her arms around me and pulling me close to her chest. I snuggled into her, feeling her heartbeat steady and comforting against my ear as her warmth surrounded me. She held me securely, her fingers gently stroking through my hair, and I sighed in contentment, letting my body relax completely in her embrace.

Juliet leaned down, her voice a soft murmur against the top of my head. "Just close your eyes, baby. Get some sleep. I'll be right here."

I hummed in response, feeling the last of my tension slip away as her fingers continued their gentle, soothing movements. The warmth of her body against mine, her gentle scent, and the way she held me so carefully, as though I were something precious, everything combined to lull me into a state of peace I hadn't felt in days.

With a soft sigh, I let my eyes drift shut, my breathing slowing as I settled into her. The sickness, the discomfort, the nausea, all of it faded to the background as I focused on the steady rhythm of her heartbeat. It was like a lullaby, pulling me into a deep, restful sleep.

And with Juliet's arms around me, I finally felt safe enough to let go.

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~ R